Liliana Gómez, the Peruvian Ambassador to Ghana, has called for enhanced bilateral trade relations between the two countries, learning from its shared values of democracy, human rights, and sustainable development, lasting the last 38 years.

She said this during the second edition of the Peru-Ghana Trade and Investment forum – a hybrid event held on the theme: “Strengthening Trade and Investment between Peru and Ghana: Exploring Opportunities in Agribusiness and Sustainable Mining.”

Ms Gómez, in her address, said the forum was to place a spotlight on high-potential sectors, including agribusiness and sustainable mining, where Peru and Ghana could collaborate as co-creators of inclusive trade growth.

“Peru has positioned itself as a gateway for Ghanaian goods into South America, especially through the newly inaugurated Megaport of Chancay, which offers advanced connectivity to Asia-Pacific markets,” she said.

Ambassador Gómez stated that Ghana’s strategic position as the centre of the world, and its dynamic role within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), offered access to West African and continental markets to be tapped into by Peruvian businesses.

Mrs Nana Krah Ansah-Agyei, the Director of the Economic, Trade and Investment Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, applauded the two countries for the age-long bilateral ties and called for deeper collaboration in untapped sectors.

She highlighted opportunities in agribusiness, mining, fisheries, textiles, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, as well as Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) development as complementary strengths that could be harnessed for mutual benefit.

“Despite our cordial relations, Ghana and Peru are yet to fully explore their trade potential. With the MoU on political consultations, we are ushering in a new era of cooperation,” said, Ansah-Agyei.

She noted that the forum proved the commitments to South-South cooperation, encouraging public-private sector partnerships as bilateral trade relations between the two countries had been on the rise.

The Director said bilateral trade volumes reached US$27.4 million in 2023, with Ghana’s exports to Peru increasing by 33.5 per cent, while Peru’s exports to Ghana grew by 33.3 per cent.